Jazz St. Louis has a new chef. Jazz musician Victor Goines, clarinetist and saxophonist, has been named president and chief executive officer, a post previously held by Gene Dobbs Bradford, who left the institution in February.
The New Orleans native’s nomination comes after a lengthy search and interview process.
Goines comes with major references. In addition to being a career musician, Goines has been a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and the Wynton Marsalis Septet since 1993.
Marsalis recommended Goines for the job at Jazz St. Louis.
People also read…
Goines most recently served as Director of Jazz Studies and Full Professor of Music at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. During his 14 years at Northwestern, the Jazz Studies program has become one of the best programs in the world.
He was also director of the jazz program at Juilliard from 2000 to 2007.
In a statement, Goines said, “Jazz is alive and everywhere, and we want people to see this city for what it is. It’s up to us to push the limits by listening to the different communities and meeting them where they are with the music.
“St. Louis’ connection to jazz runs deep, and I look forward to working with St. Louis musicians and institutions to promote this fact to national audiences.
Goines has crossed paths with important jazz musicians from the Saint-Louis region in the past. Pianist Peter Martin was part of the first group led by Goines and trumpeter Jeremy Davenport is an alumnus.
Goines has performed with Bob Dylan, Terence Blanchard, Dizzy Gillespie, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Dianne Reeves, Branford Marsalis and Wayne Shorter.
He’s not new to St. Louis. “I remember JSL’s early days at the Majestic Hotel, sitting in the original bistro and playing with Wynton for the grand opening of the Harold and Dorothy Steward Center for Jazz.”
Goines released the collaborative album “De New Orleans a La Habana” with Janio Abreu earlier this year.
He will continue to perform around the world while serving Jazz St. Louis.